Drinking beverages that contain sugar leads to unhealthy weight, along with dental cavities. Sugary drinks also take the place of more nutritious options, like reduced-fat milks (dairy or plant-based), which provide nutrients that are essential for bone health in growing children.
Recommended Juice Limits by Age
Juice may seem like a good choice, but it is loaded with extra sugar and calories. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following limits [SOURCE]:
- Infants younger than 12 months – No juice recommended.
- Children 1 to 3 – no more than 4 ounces of fruit juice per day.
- Children 4 to 6 – no more than 6 ounces of fruit juice per day.
- Children 7 to 18 – no more than 8 ounces of fruit juice per day.
Help Kids Drink Less Sugar
The following tips can support your child in drinking less sugar:
- Offer unsweetened drinks such as water, which is always the best option.
- Allow your child to pick out a colorful water bottle that they will be excited to use.
- Swap unsweetened, flavored seltzer for sodas and sports drinks, which are filled with sugar and additives.
- Dilute juice and sugar-sweetened drinks with water. They will still be sweet!
- Infuse water with lemons, limes, berries, cucumbers, mint leaves, or other natural flavors to make it more fun. [See recipes below.]
Resources for Drinking Less Sugar
- Infused Water Recipes [PDF]– Our own Fit Together recipes for infused water.
- Rethink Your Drink Printables – a collection of downloaded resources from UCSF.
- Rethink Your Drink – helpful tips from Actions for Healthy Kids.
- Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label – a guide to reading a nutrition label for sugar.